Fort Hays State University (6-11,1-6 MIAA) won its third straight and its second out of the last three in straight sets as the Tigers swept Stephens College Thursday in Columbia Mo 25-19,25-17,25-23.
The Tigers used quick starts and rallies to upend the Stars.
In the first set the Tigers led by as many 10 and started out on 5-1 run. Junior Taylor mares led the team with five kills. Junior transfer from Yavpai College (Ariz.) Libby Ary had 11 assists in the first set.
In the second frame the Tigers used two different rallies to beat Stephens College.
First rally came with the Tigers down 11-8, Fort Hays got three quick points and knotted it at 11. The big blow came with the Tigers trailing 14-13, eight unanswered points would be posted by the Tigers leading to the set two win.
Senior Madison Schwartz had six of her nine kills in the second frame. Senior Jenna Ulrich had a set high 3 blocks.
The third set was much closer wire to wire to the finish.
With the third set in a 5-5 tie the Tigers found a spark and jumped out to the 13-8 led, however they would fall behind as the Stars put on a 7-2 run.
After Head Coach Kurt Kohler called a timeout, the Tigers finished on a 7-4 run and a kill by sophomore Tara Hoekman sealed the win for the Tigers.
Ulrich led the way in the match for the Tigers with 11 kills and five blocks. Sophomore Mallory Flaggor and Schwartz each added nine kills respectively. Freshman Chelsea Payne led the team with nine digs and senior Makenzie Weinman added eight. Freshman Raegan Vanderplas had a nice match with 18 assists and six digs.
The Tigers stay on the road and stay in Missouri as they are primed for a MIAA match up with Lindenwood in St.Charles, Mo. at 7 p.m. on Friday.